Ljot. I knew you would come.
Sølvi. You knew it! Won't you sit down? I have something to show you. (Ljot sits down. Sølvi opens the game-bag; takes from it a large fern.) I found this out on the hraun. Is it not beautiful? (Sits down.) Look, the stem is no thicker than a hair, while the leaf can easily hide your whole face. (Holds it up before her face.) It trembles when your breath touches it.
Ljot. You have pulled it up by the roots. May I have the moss that came with it? (Sølvi loosens the moss from the roots. Ljot lays it in her hand; smiles.) When it withers, I'll keep it in my shoes.
Sølvi. Will you keep it in your shoes? See these two small ferns on one root. They look like two slim hands. (Looks at Ljot.)
Einar (puts the gun aside). It's a fine one. It must have cost a good deal. Perhaps you bought it yourself abroad?
Sølvi. I did. (Lays down the fern. To Ljot.) If you have time, you can plant it to-morrow. It won't hurt it to lie overnight in the wet grass.
Einar (goes to Sølvi). How long were you abroad?
Sølvi. Seven years.
Einar. That's a long time. (Sits down.)
Ljot. My father was angry with me for keeping your bird's skin.